In the midst of Georgia’s ongoing political turmoil, 20 people, including two Americans and a Russian, were apprehended at Tbilisi protests, as reported by Russia’s TASS state news agency on Monday. The protests occurred as Georgian legislators were deliberating over an controverisal “foreign agents” bill.
An all-night demonstration outside the parliament building in Tbilisi was dispersed by the Georgian police prior to the discussion of the contentious bill. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is determined to ratify the legislation, despite significant opposition concerned that the law is autocratic and reminiscent of Russia’s “foreign agent” regulation of 2012. The level of protesting seen is amongst the highest since Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Georgia’s opposition urged those against the bill to stage an overnight demonstration outside the parliament, in an attempt to bar legislators from embarking on the third reading of the bill on Monday.
According to TASS, which quoted eyewitnesses, police initiated action to remove demonstrators from the service entry points of the parliament building, resulting in some clashes.
The controversial bill mandates that any organisation drawing more than 20% of its financial support from overseas, must register as a foreign agent or risk penalties.
Condemned by Western nations and Georgian opposition as authortarian and inspired by Russia, the draft law is similar to Russia’s 2012 law, which has been leveraged against those critical of Vladimir Putin’s government.
The disagreement surrounding the prospective legislation is viewed as pivotal to Georgia’s future international alliances – whether the country will continue to pursue membership of the European Union and NATO, or establish closer relations with Russia.
The European Union, which recognised Georgia as a candidate in December, has already warned that the ratification of this bill could potentially hinder closer integration with the consortium – as per a Reuters report.
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